Golf swing training club

ABSTRACT

A golf swing training club consisting of a club head, a length adjustable shaft, and a grip. A light source housed inside the grip projects, when illuminated, a highly focused beam of light outward from the top of the grip to track the player&#39;s swing plane. The light source, typically a diode laser module with power source, is removably secured within the grip by means of a collar and plug connector. Formed into the grip is a pressure sensitive switch which controls the light source. The light source is turned on whenever the grip is grasped and is turned off once the grip is released. A means for removably mounting training weights along the length of the shaft is also described.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the sport of golf. Moreparticularly, this invention describes apparatus used to enhance agolfer's skill level through an improved golf swing.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Golf, a game that has long been enjoyed by persons around theworld, is ever increasing in popularity. With increased popularity comesincreased interest in enhancing the quality of the game and itsperformance levels. Not surprisingly, therefore, an abundance of priorart can be found which teach techniques and apparatus to improve theindividual golfer's skill and game quality.

[0005] The golf swing is central to the game, and much attention hasbeen given to assisting golfers achieve the optimal swing. The locationand continuity of the “swing plane”, and the velocity with which theclub is swung, dictate the direction and distance a hit golf ball willtravel and the success of any drive. Proper execution of the swing planeis achieved through a unitary movement of the hands, arms and bodythrough the swing phases known as setup, back-swing, down-swing andfollow-through.

[0006] Traditionally golfers were limited in their ability to obtaininformation about the correctness of their golf swings to observing theresults of their swing and receiving oral feedback from coaches andcolleagues. More recently, training clubs have been developed which emitbeams of light while swung. These light beam emitting training clubsprovide the golfer with immediate visual information about his or hergolf swing. Such devices allow golfers to adjust their swing, during theswing, in order to achieve the correct “swing plane”.

[0007] By repeatedly practicing the correct swing with the aid of thelight beam emitting training devices, golfers develop important “musclememory” that allow the golfer to obtain the same correct swing planeresults, without the training aids, while on the golf course and duringcompetition.

[0008] To the extent described in the prior art, the light emittingtraining clubs differ one from the other considerably. The prior artdescribes light emitting training clubs which differ in the manner anddirection in which they emit light, overall configuration, methods ofconstruction, and means for light activation. Some include obtrusivecomponents which can interfere with the gripping and swinging of theclub. Others appear difficult or expensive to construct, are highmaintenance, or awkward to use.

[0009] Golf clubs are not of uniform length and club length varieswithin each set. Putters and clubs used for short distance shots, suchas 8 and 9 irons, have shorter shafts compared with clubs used for longdistance shots, such as 1 and 2 irons and woods. It is not enough,therefore, to develop muscle memory in relation to a club of a givenlength, and golfers typically practice with all the different sizedclubs within their club set. Golf clubs are also sized for users ofdifferent ages and heights. Although length adjustable golf clubs havebeen described, none of the prior art length adjustable golf clubs alsoprovide the golfer with immediate visual feedback concerning his or hergolf swing.

[0010] It has long been known that weight training can promote skilllevel and performance in a wide variety of athletic activities. Weightsselectively strengthen those muscles most needed and used in play andcompetition. It is generally appreciated, for example, that placingdonut shaped weights around one's ankles while jogging serves tostrengthen leg muscles and enhance the user's running ability. Use ofweights in conjunction with practicing golf swings selectivelystrengthen the muscles used in the golf swing. Accessories for attachingweights to golf shafts have been described for training as well as tobalance golf clubs for everyday and competitive use. Golf weightaccessories have not previously been described in conjunction withlength adjustable golf swing training devices capable of providing thegolfer with simultaneous visual information about his or her golf swing.

[0011] 3. Objects of the Invention

[0012] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a golfswing training club which emits a focused light beam to provide golferswith immediate and simultaneous visual information regarding their golfswing, which can be used indoors and out, which is simple in itsconstruction, inexpensive to build and maintain, easy to assemble, andconvenient to use.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide alight emitting golf course training club wherein the light source can beremovably inserted and quickly secured into the club grip.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide alight emitting golf swing training club having a means to illuminate thelight source when the club grip is grasped and to extinguish the lightwhen the club grip is released, which means is unobtrusive and whichdoes not interfere with or distract the golfer when the training club isin use.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golfswing training club that provides immediate visual feedback having anadjustable length to accommodate players of different ages and heightsand to simulate the variable lengths of the different types of clubswithin a set of golf clubs.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide atraining weight accessory that can be removably mounted anywhere alongthe length of the shaft of the training club to selectively strengthen aplayer's golf swing and to simulate golf clubs with heavy heads orgrips.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0017] These and other objects are accomplished in the presentinvention, a golf swing training club comprised of a golf club head,shaft and grip. The grip includes a hollow core accessible from the topto receive and house a light source. The light source, typically a diodelaser module, projects a very focused beam of light out the top of thegrip in a direction co-linear with the golf shaft. A male plug connectormolded into a collar encircling the light source plugs into a femaleplug connector built into the top of the grip to removably secure thelight source within the grip. The light source is sized to fit snuglywithin the grip and so as not to extend beyond, or much beyond, the topof the grip. The light source may be removed from the grip for storage,maintenance or replacement.

[0018] In its preferred embodiment, the golf swing training clubincludes a pressure sensitive activation means formed into the length ofthe grip that turns the light source on and off. Grasping the gripdepresses the activation means illuminating the light beam, whilereleasing the grip releases the means and extinguishes the light beam.The activation means is comfortably recessed within the grip, protrudingslightly therefrom, so as not to be uncomfortable or distracting to thegolfer. The activation means is positioned along a substantial sectionof the length of the grip such that, no matter how the golfer places hishands along the grip, gripping the club will cause the activation meansto become depressed. When not grasped, the activation means resumes itsoriginal configuration. According to one embodiment, the pressuresensitive activation means connects to the light source through the plugconnector.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the light emitting training clubhas a length adjustable shaft to accommodate players of different agesand height and to simulate the different club sizes in a club set. Thelength adjustable shaft is comprised of telescoped tubing which locks,one to the other, by means of spring loaded clips mounted on one sectionof tubing which are received by holes formed at appropriate intervalsalong the length of an adjacent section of tubing. The holes formedalong the length of the adjacent tubing also allow for rotation of theclub head relative to the club grip. This feature permits the user toposition the pressure sensitive activation means within the grip in amanner the user finds most convenient or comfortable.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, donut shaped weightaccessories are placed at different positions along the length of theclub shaft. The weights serve to selectively strengthen muscles used inthe golf swing, and to simulate the varying balance found amongdifferent styles of golf clubs, at the same time as the focused lightbeam provides the visual feedback to allow the user to develop musclememory in relation to the correct swing plane.

[0021] Further objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The details of typical, but not limiting, embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a right side view of the golf swing training club withadjustable shaft and weight accessory.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing use of the golf swingtraining club with focused light beam tracking the player's swing plane.

[0025]FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the grip and light sourceinsert, male and female plug connectors, and pressure sensitiveactivation means.

[0026]FIG. 3B is a sectional view showing the light source fullyinserted within the grip housing.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing details of the lengthadjustable golf club shaft.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the trainingweight accessory and method of wrapping the same.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the light source within the griphousing and details of the pressure sensitive activation means.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic of the activation means depictedin FIG. 6.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the grip portion of a furtherpreferred embodiment of the golf swing training club having alternativeactivation means and the power source housed directly within the gripinstead of within the light source unit.

[0032]FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic of the alternative activationmeans depicted in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The golf swing training club of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 1. A club head 10 is permanently attached to one endof a shaft 20. The other end of shaft 20 is formed into a grip 30.Extending from the top end of grip 30, but housed within grip 30, is alight source 32.

[0034] According to the embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 1, a training weight accessory 40 is secured around the lowerportion of shaft 20. Weight accessory 40 is removably attached and heldin place on shaft 20 by means of a velcro tongue 42.

[0035] Although weight accessory 40 is shown in FIG. 1 as attached tothe bottom portion of shaft 20, weight accessory 40 can be attachedanywhere along the length of shaft 20. Locating weight accessory 40 lowon shaft 20 simulates a club having a heavy head section and requiresmore swinging strength. Locating weight accessory 40 high on shaft 20simulates a club having a heavy grip section and requires the golfer todemonstrate greater control strength.

[0036] Also according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, shaft 20is length adjustable and is comprised of two sections of tubing 22, withan inner section 22 a telescoped inside an outer section 22 b. Aplurality of hole sets 24 formed at regular intervals along outer tubing22 b are located to receive two spring loaded clips 26 which protrudefrom opposing sides of inner tubing 22 a. Hole sets 24 are composed offour holes, one opposed to the other and 90 degrees radially from theadjacent hole. Positioning the holes of hole sets 24 at 90 degreesrelative to one another allows the golfer to rotate and lock club head10 in four positions relative to grip 30, each position being 90 degreesfrom the adjacent position. Forming hole sets 24 at regular intervalsalong the length of outer tubing 22 b permits shaft 20 to be extended,and locked, at a variety of lengths for golfers of different ages andheights. The training club with length adjustable shaft 20 can also beused by golfers to simulate the different club types within a club set.

[0037] The golf swing training club illustrated in FIG. 1 demonstrateslength adjustable shaft 20 comprised of two sections of telescopedtubing 22. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the artthat three or more sections of tubing, with inside tubing sections 22having both hole sets 24 and clips 26, can be employed in shaft 20without departing from the scope or essential nature of the presentinvention. It will be similarly appreciated that a length adjustableshaft 20 can be constructed with hole sets 24 comprised of two or threeholes, equally spaced or at 90 degree intervals, and/or having one, asopposed to two, spring loaded clips 26.

[0038]FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which a golfer uses the golfswing training club of the present invention to obtain simultaneousinformation about the form and consistency of the his or her golf swing.The practicing golfer grasps grip 30 and, in the so-called set upposition (not shown), squares to a ball 12 using appropriate stance andposture. Light source 32, which is illuminated, projects a focused beam14 from the top end of grip 30. While the golfer engages in the initialback-swing phase of the golf swing, beam 14 appears within the golfer'sview field and traces the swing plane of the golfer's back swing along aline A. Beam 14 retraces the same swing plane, again line A, during thedown-swing portion of the golf swing until club head 10 meets ball 12,at which time beam 14 projects upwards and is no longer visible to thegolfer. Beam 14 reappears within the golfer's view field during thefollow-through phase of the golf swing (not shown), this time tracing anew line that will be roughly parallel to the swing plane reflected byline A.

[0039] Swings that hook, slice or fail to achieve the desired swingplane will become obvious when observing line A drawn by beam 14relative to the golfer and ball 12. A correct swing is demonstrated whenbeam 14 draws line A exactly perpendicular to the golfer's stance andprecisely bisecting ball 12. A correct swing is also illustrated by beam14 retracing line A in each of the back-swing and down-swing phases ofthe golf swing. Because the major portion of line A traced during eachof the three phases of the golf swing are within the golfer's view fieldwhile the golfer maintains correct posture and stance, the golfer isafforded immediate and simultaneous visual feedback regarding thepositioning and consistency of the golf stroke before, during and afteractually hitting ball 12.

[0040] Details of light source 32 and grip 30 are depicted in FIGS. 3Aand 3B. Referring first to FIG. 3A, the bottom end of grip 30 ispermanently affixed to the top end of shaft 20. Grip 30 is hollow andopens at the top to receive light source 32 which is sized to fit snuglyinside the hollow core of grip 30. A collar 35 having an outsidediameter to coincide with the outside diameter of grip 30 encircles thetop portion of light source 32. Extending down from the underside ofcollar 35 is a male plug connector 34 which can be removably insertedinto a female plug connector 36 that is molded into the wall of grip 30.

[0041]FIG. 3B illustrates light source 32 fully inserted into hollowgrip 30. Male plug connector 34, when inserted into female plugconnector 36, removably secures light source 32 inside the core of grip30 while collar 35 caps the top of grip 30. Light source 32 may beremoved from grip 30 for storage, maintenance or replacement.

[0042] Also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a pressure sensitive activatingmeans 50 formed into grip 30. Activation means 50 traverses asubstantial portion of the length of grip 30 such that, irrespective ofwhere on grip 30 the golfer grasps, the golfer's hands will press downupon some portion of means 50. Activation means 50 is recessed into grip30 while protruding slightly therefrom. When grip 30 is grasped, lightpressure on means 50 depresses means 50 to a point that it becomes flushwith the surface of grip 30. When grip 30 is released, means 50 resumesits original configuration.

[0043] The light source 32 depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B is aninexpensive, commercially available laser pointer comprising a diodelaser module powered by small camera batteries which has been modifiedfor use in the present invention. Laser pointers which are longer andnarrower, and which utilize triple A sized batteries, can be modifiedfor use with clubs having smaller diameter grips 30, as for exampleyouth clubs. Also, while diode laser moadules which produce red coloredlaser beams are adequate for indoor practice and practice in shady orovercast conditions, somewhat more expensive laser modules which producegreen colored beams can be used for outside training in sunnyconditions.

[0044] Use of a laser powered light source 32 will generally bepreferred to achieve the highly focused light beam that is required toadequately visualize the golf strokes. Alternatively, it is possible toemploy in light source 32 other known and commercially availabletechnologies that produce highly focused beams of light.

[0045]FIG. 4 illustrates the method of varying the length of shaft 20.Hole sets 24 appear at regular intervals along the length of outertubing 22 b, while clips 26 protrude from within inner tubing 22 a inopposing directions. To adjust the length of shaft 20, clips 26 arepressed inwards allowing inner tubing 22 a to be slid relative to outertubing 22 b. Sliding inner tubing 22 a away from outer tubing 22 blengthens shaft 20, while sliding inner tubing 22 a farther inside outertubing 22 b shortens shaft 20.

[0046] To rotate club 10 relative to grip 30 (shown in FIG. 1), clips 26are pressed inwards and inner tubing 22 a is rotated relative to outertubing 22 b until spring loaded clips 26 emerge through the radiallyadjacent holes of a given hole set 24. Rotation of club 10 relative togrip 30 may be useful, for example, in order to position pressuresensitive activation means 50 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) relative to agolfer's grip for maximum comfort and convenience.

[0047] Details of training weight accessory 40, and the manner ofattaching weight accessory 40 to shaft 20, are shown in FIG. 5. Weightaccessory 40 is comprised of an envelope 44, rectangular in shape,fabricated of elastic material and filled with heavy material such aslead (not shown). One surface 44 a of envelope 44 is covered withnon-slip material such as rubber. The opposing surface 44 b of envelope44 is covered with velcro. Velcro tongue 42 extends from one end ofenvelope 44.

[0048] Weight accessory 40 is removably secured to a section of shaft 20by wrapping envelope 44 tightly around shaft 20 with non-slip surface 44a facing inward against shaft 20 and velcro surface 44 b facing outwardaway from shaft 20. Being fabricated from elastic material, envelope 44can be stretched while being wrapped. Velcro tongue 42 then wraps aroundand over surface 44 b and is secured to surface 44 b by means of theopposing velcro covered surfaces.

[0049] Non-slip surface 44 a, pressed firmly against the surface ofshaft 20, prevents weight accessory 40 from sliding up and down on shaft20 when the training club is swung. Although weight accessory 40depicted in FIG. 5 is removably secured by means of velcro, similarresults can be achieved by employing other known methods of removablysecuring components formed of fabric, as for example snaps or hook andeye connectors.

[0050] Details of pressure sensitive activation means 50 are illustratedin FIG. 6, the electrical schematic of which is depicted in FIG. 7. Grip30 is formed around the end of shaft 20. Light source 32 is securedinside the hollow core of grip 30 by means of male plug connector 34 andfemale plug connector 36.

[0051] Activation means 50 is formed into the wall of grip 30. Theunderside 52 of activation means 50 is composed of conductive material.Two springs 54 are mounted one on either end of underside 52. Twoopposing electrical leads 56+ and 56− respectively, emanating frombatteries (not shown) housed within light source 32, follow separate butparallel paths through collar 35, male plug connector 34 and female plugconnector 36 to positions within grip 30 directly below conductiveunderside 52.

[0052] Springs 54 cause means 50 to be pressed outward relative to lightsource 32 and prevent underside 52 from contacting leads 56+ and 56−.When grip 30 is grasped, means 50 is depressed towards light source 32,and underside 52 contacts leads 56+ and 56− and completes the electriccircuit to illuminate light source 32. When grip 30 is released, springs54 press underside 52 outward away from leads 56+ and 56−, opening theelectric circuit and extinguishing light source 32.

[0053]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further preferred embodiment of thegolf course training club of the present invention. According to thisalternative embodiment, one or more batteries are housed directly withinthe hollow core of shaft 20 and grip 30 as opposed to within the lightsource. Light source 32, removably secured to grip 30 through male plugconnector 34 and female plug connector 36, caps the top of grip 30 andsecures the batteries within grip 30. The batteries can be accessed, andreplaced, by removal of light source 32.

[0054] The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 also includes analternative activation means 50 a formed within grip 30. One end ofactivation means 50 a is supported by a single spring 34 (not shown).Grasping grip 30 depresses means 50 a and closes the electric circuitdepicted in schematic in FIG. 9 to illuminate light source 32. Releasinggrip 30 opens the electric circuit of FIG. 9 and extinguishes lightsource 32.

[0055] Although the activation means of the present invention isdescribed in terms of a pressure sensitive switch, alternativeactivation means, including for example on/off switches, may besubstituted without changing the essential character of the claimedinvention.

SUMMARY AND SCOPE

[0056] Accordingly it will be readily appreciated that the golf swingtraining club of the present invention provides an apparatus and methodby which golfers can immediately and significantly improve their golfswing and, through repeated practice with the training club, develop theconsistency and important muscle memory to demonstrate improved skilllevel and performance on the golf course.

[0057] Visualization of the focused light beam emitted from the top ofthe training club permits the golfer to accurately track how the club istrailing up and down the swing plane at the time the club is swung.Being length adjustable, a single training club can be used by golfersof different heights and ages and can be used to simulate the differentsized clubs of a set of clubs. Use of the weight accessory removablyattached to different points along the club shaft allows the golfer toselectively strengthen those muscles most important to a strong andconsistent golf swing while building muscle memory that will promote acorrect, reliable and powerful golf swing.

[0058] Because the light beam is emitted only when the club grip isgrasped for play, the training club conserves energy and avoids the beambeing directed in an uncontrolled manner or in a manner to cause othersdistraction or discomfort. Molding the club grip to house commerciallyavailable modified laser pointers provides a golf swing training clubthat is easy and inexpensive to construct.

[0059] Although the description above contains many specifications,these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention butas merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. For example instead of a male/female plugconnector, an adaptor ring could be used to removably secure the lightsource within the grip housing. Similarly, activation means other thanthose specifically described above could be employed without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0060] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examplesgiven.

The embodiments of the invention which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A golf swing trainingclub, comprising: a shaft; a club head attached to one end of saidshaft; a grip formed around the other end of said shaft; a light sourcehoused within said grip that projects when illuminated a highly focusedbeam of light outward from the top of said grip in a direction co-linearwith said shaft; a pressure sensitive means to illuminate said lightbeam when said grip is grasped and extinguish said beam when said graspis released; whereby said focused beam serves to track the golf club'sswing plane when said training club is grasped and swung.
 2. The golfswing training club of claim 1 wherein said light source is a diodelaser module with power source.
 3. The golf swing training club of claim1 wherein said light source is a modified laser pointer.
 4. The golfswing training club of claim 1 wherein said light source is removablysecured within said grip by means of a coupling device.
 5. The golfswing training club of claim 4 wherein said coupling device comprises: acollar which encircles the light emitting end of said light source; amale plug connector which extends from the underside of said collar; afemale plug connector formed into the top of said grip to receive saidmail plug connector and removably lock said light source within saidgrip.
 6. The golf swing training club of claim 1 wherein said pressuresensitive means for illuminating and extinguishing said light beam is adepressable switch formed longitudinally within said grip.
 7. The golfswing training club of claim 1 wherein said shaft is length adjustable.8. The golf swing training club of claim 7 wherein said lengthadjustable shaft is comprised of a plurality of telescoped tubing havinga locking means that releasably locks said tubing one within the other.9. The golf swing training club of claim 8 wherein said locking means iscomprised of holes formed in an outer section of said tubing whichreceive spring-loaded depressable clips that protrude from an innersection of said tubing.
 10. The golf swing training club of claim 7wherein said length adjustable shaft is comprised of an outer telescopedtube and an inner telescoped tube, two spring loaded depressable clipsthat protrude from opposing sides of said inner telescoped tube, and aplurality of hole sets of four holes each positioned radially 90 degreesrelative to one another, said hole sets formed at regular intervalsalong the length of said outer telescoped tube to receive saiddepressable clips and lock the outer and inner tube relative to oneanother.
 11. The golf swing training club of claim 1 further comprisinga means and method for removably attaching training weights to saidshaft.
 12. The golf swing training club of claim 11 wherein said meansand method for removably attaching training weights to said shaftcomprises: a rectangular shaped elastic envelope having one non-slipoutside surface; a means for attaching one end of said envelope to theother outside surface of said envelope; a plurality of training weightssized to fit inside said tubular envelope; wherein said training weightsare inserted inside said envelope, said envelope is wrapped tightlyaround said club shaft with the non-slip surface facing said shaft, andthe envelope is secured to itself by said attaching means.
 13. The golfswing training club of claim 12 wherein said attaching means is velcro.14. A golf swing training club, comprising: a length adjustable shaft; aclub head attached to one end of said shaft; a grip formed around theother end of said shaft; a light source housed within said grip thatprojects when illuminated a highly focused beam of light outward fromthe top of said grip in a direction co-linear with said shaft; a lightsource illumination means; whereby said focused beam serves to track thegolf club's swing plane when said light source is illuminated and saidtraining club is swung.
 15. The golf swing training club of claim 14wherein said length adjustable shaft is comprised of a plurality oftelescoped tubing having a locking means that releasably locks saidtubing one to the other.
 16. The golf swing training club of claim 14further comprising a means for removably attaching training weights tosaid shaft.
 17. A golf swing training club comprising: a shaft; a clubhead attached to one end of said shaft; a grip formed around the otherend of said shaft; a means and method for removably attaching trainingweights to said shaft; a light source housed within said grip thatprojects when illuminated a highly focused beam of light outward fromthe top of said grip in a direction co-linear with said shaft; a lightsource activating means; whereby said focused beam serves to track thegolf club's swing plane when said light source is illuminated and saidtraining club is swung.
 18. The golf swing training club of claim 17wherein said means and method for removably attaching training weight tosaid shaft comprises: a rectangular shaped elastic envelope having onenon-slip outside surface; a means for attaching one end of said envelopeto the other outside surface of said envelope; a plurality of trainingweights sized to fit inside said tubular envelope; wherein said trainingweights are inserted inside said envelope and said envelope is wrappedtightly around said club shaft with the non-slip surface facing saidshaft and wherein said envelope is secured to itself by said attachingmeans.